A nurse is reviewing a client's cardiac rhythm in an electrocardiogram and notes that the reading shows that the P wave and PR interval are absent. Which condition does the nurse interpret from this result?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absence of P waves and PR interval suggests atrial fibrillation where there is disorganized electrical activity in the atria resulting in an irregular ventricular response. Ventricular fibrillation is characterized by irregular, erratic, and chaotic ventricular activity on an electrocardiogram. Premature ventricular contractions are characterized by early ventricular depolarization and a wide QRS complex on an electrocardiogram.

A Nurse Is Reviewing a Client's Cardiac Rhythm in an Electrocardiogram